Is it OK to fly with heart problems?

If you have signs and symptoms of heart failure and further treatment is planned, you are considered to be at high risk of another heart attack. In this case, you should wait until you are in a more stable condition before flying. Always speak to your GP or specialist before flying after you have had a heart attack.



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Unstable heart disease is associated with a higher risk of adverse events due to flying, and you may need to avoid flying, at least temporarily, until your condition is well controlled. People with pacemakers or implantable defibrillators can fly safely.

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Before flying, those who have heart disease or have undergone a cardiac procedure should discuss their plans with a doctor. Some of the risk factors that might affect that decision include an unstable heart condition, long flights, flying to a high-elevation destination, and personal risk for blood clots.

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If your blood pressure is higher than 120 over 80, seek medical advice before you travel.

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recent operation or injury where trapped air or gas may be present in the body (e.g. stomach ,bowel, eyes, face, brain) severe long term diseases that affect your breathing. breathlessness at rest. unresolved pneumothorax (punctured lung)

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Cardiac arrhythmia. Hypoxia and increased sympathetic activation may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias at high altitude2; however, the incidence of significant arrhythmias during air travel is rare.

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At sea level, oxygen saturation hovers around 98 to 100 percent, but at 14,000 feet, the saturation levels drops to 80 percent due to oxygen-poor air, requiring the heart to increase cardiac output, requiring a 10 to 30 percent increase in heart rate to maintain appropriate oxygen delivery to tissues.

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Does flying affect blood pressure? Yes it can. At high altitudes, even in a pressurised aircraft cabin, passengers are at risk of hypoxaemia (low oxygen concentration in the blood).

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